Page 18 of The Throne Seeker

Roman’s jaw ticked as his eyes blazed into hers. “You know, after you left… everything fell apart. Xavier spiraled out of control, Tristan was heartbroken, my mother’s condition worsened, and I was sent to hell. But do you care? Do you even take the time to write? No, you just disappear. I made excuses for you for a time after your father passed until I realized that you only lost interest in our familyafterXavier rejected you. That day, I understood—we were merely a means to an end for you. I was wrong to idolize you as I did.”

He could have just as easily plunged a rusty knife into her heart. “That’s not true. You know that.”

Roman crushed her with a stinging glare. “You can keep your excuses, lies, or whatever you want to call them. But if you think you can return out of the blue and expect things to go back to how they were, you’re even more naïve than I was.”

She parted her lips to respond, but no sound left her mouth. He was right, of course. She had been a fool to think everything would be the same, leaving without so much as a quick goodbye, then never answering their letters. But it was also unfair of him to assume she didn’t have her own demons to face.

She’d been so absorbed in the moment, she hadn’t noticed the music had stopped until Roman dropped his hands.

“Thank you for the dance,” he said, as though they were barely acquaintances.

Her body reacted for her, giving him a slight bow, then leaving before he could see the moisture threatening to fill her eyes.

She had only taken a few steps when Roman called out, “And Rose?”

She looked back over her shoulder.

“I hope you know I won’t let you hurt them again.” He gave her a hard stare.

Her eyes fell. Knowing she had caused them pain, even unintentionally, gutted her to her core.

Before she could respond, the crowd swallowed him.

She took the chance at freedom by retreating to a far corner. She scanned the room for Tristan. At last, she found his messy blond hair still on the dance floor. To her dismay, he was dancing with Kristiana—a pretty dark-haired girl who was unquestionably seeking his attention, throwing him flirtatious smiles.

She had enough of dancing.

She weaved in and out through the sea of people as stealthily as possible and slipped away into the night.

CHAPTER 8

Relief came with the chilly breeze nipping her skin as Rose exited the castle—a welcome contrast to the stuffy, hot ballroom. She drank it in, calming her rapid heartbeat.

Continuing along the stone patio, she made her way to the beach where she and Tristan had agreed to meet.

She descended the stoned steps as her shadow trailed behind. The stars and twin moons cast their bright, cool rays, lighting her way through the tall sea grass swaying in the wind.

The moment she reached the sandy shore, she took a deep, medicinal breath, casting her gaze on the sea. She hadn’t entered its depths since she was a child, not daring to go more than ankle-deep.

Without thinking, her hands went to her hair, unbraiding it to let it fall freely. Relief came to her scalp as she shook it loose. She slipped off her shoes next, kicking them away to feel the cool, soft sand under her feet.

“Lovely night, isn’t it?” a male voice said, shattering her solitude.

She swiveled, expecting Tristan. Instead, she spotted a dark-haired, very red-eyed Xavier sitting in the sand.

She instinctively stepped back. “Xavier.” Her cheeks burned. “Sorry. I thought?—”

“I was your lover, Tristan?” Xavier finished, his words slurring into a smirk. The same bottle from dinner rested in the sand between his ankles where he leaned against a large rock. Her face must have given her away because he let out a faint scoff. “Don’t look so surprised. I’ve known you practically my whole life. You’ve had my brother wrapped around your pretty little finger for years.”

She shot him a glare, wrapping her arms around herself to ward off the cold, ignoring his dig. “What are you doing out here?”

A sharp smile spread while he raised the bottle in a mock toast. “I was just out for a lovely evening stroll, of course. I don’t care much for dancing. But the real question is, what areyoudoing here? Isn’t that your ball going on inside?”

She hesitated, not sure how much she should disclose, but she didn’t want to lie. “I’m waiting for him.”

Xavier gave a bitter laugh. “Of course you are… Doesn’t everyone justloveTristan?” He took another gulp of his drink, wiping his mouth sloppily as he stood up.

Her insides squirmed at his drunken gaze. “He seems to be the only one of you two with his wits about him.”